Posted on 02/05/2017 16:56
Hello everyone. I am new to caravanning and want to buy a full awning for my swift spirit 2016. I am told that the A measurement dictates that I need a size 15, but am needy of advice when it comes to steel frame, aluminium etc and which type and make of awning will suit for both warm climates and here at home! Got to watch the pennies and have a budget of about £800. Thanks in advance.
Posted on 03/05/2017 20:38 by huskydogAny way back to the OP, I would go with aluminium poles and find a dealer who had a selection of awnings so you can see the material and the quality of the product
Posted on 03/05/2017 20:38 by huskydogAny way back to the OP, I would go with aluminium poles and find a dealer who had a selection of awnings so you can see the material and the quality of the product
Posted on 03/05/2017 20:52
Indeed I wasn't won over on air awning till I had a go in the local dealer. Within ten pumps I was sold. No more figuring which pole went with which, no more tensioning. And so easy to take down, just unscrew the value and roll it away.
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Posted on 03/05/2017 20:52 by CornersteadyIndeed I wasn't won over on air awning till I had a go in the local dealer. Within ten pumps I was sold. No more figuring which pole went with which, no more tensioning. And so easy to take down, just unscrew the value and roll it away.
Posted on 03/05/2017 21:01 byI too have been quite impressed with the ease of erection of air awnings and equally impressed by the way they can be "reshaped" by strong winds whilst rocking, damaging, or just moving their contents
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Posted on 03/05/2017 21:12
we've been in really strong winds and ours has coped well. I suppose it depends on the make and quality (read cost) of the air awning in question. If you need one to stand up all year rather than in fair weather get a good one with built in tie down straps. I did see a frame awning go once and the poles made some very good dents in the side wall and roof of the caravan.
Posted on 03/05/2017 22:53
Seeing as the OP has decided that they want an awning, researched size and set a budget I'll try to help as they've asked.
eBay, preloved and gumtree are all full of good second hand awnings. Look for a named brand and one with a picture of the label showing the size if you can. Manufacturers seem to have a 20cm range of A measurements in each size - you want to be in the middle of that range ideally. I bought an immaculate Ventura with fibreglass poles on eBay for £150 last year.
Check with local dealers to see if they have any second hand awnings. Both our local dealers have quite a few. They'll help with sizes too.
We have a largish air porch awning. It's ok for most purposes but when we travel as a family we need the full awning as sleeping space. We can put the full awning up as quickly as the air awning and much prefer it
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Posted on 03/05/2017 22:53 by JayEssSeeing as the OP has decided that they want an awning, researched size and set a budget I'll try to help as they've asked.
eBay, preloved and gumtree are all full of good second hand awnings. Look for a named brand and one with a picture of the label showing the size if you can. Manufacturers seem to have a 20cm range of A measurements in each size - you want to be in the middle of that range ideally. I bought an immaculate Ventura with fibreglass poles on eBay for £150 last year.
Check with local dealers to see if they have any second hand awnings. Both our local dealers have quite a few. They'll help with sizes too.
We have a largish air porch awning. It's ok for most purposes but when we travel as a family we need the full awning as sleeping space. We can put the full awning up as quickly as the air awning and much prefer it
Posted on 04/05/2017 07:01
Good to see a post from someone who has both.
We have considered an air awning and looked at three, two Vango and a Kampa whilst on a rally. The favourite was one of the Vangos but friends we were with have had issues with theirs 'collapsing' in one corner and another couple commented that they struggled with the weight when erecting.
We decided that we would stick with what we know, in terms of quality and practical use, against the 'unknown', for us, of the air awnings.
Phil Withey
Caravanner